AVON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTS: “WE DON’T JUST FIGHT FIRES”

Event at Avon Free Public Library Kicks Off the AVFD’s 75^th Anniversary Year

The Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) will celebrate its 75^th anniversary in 2018. On Saturday, January 13, 2018, the AVFD will kick off a full year of commemorative events with a special presentation entitled “We Don’t Just Fight Fires.” The program will take place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Avon Free Public Library located at 281 Country Club Road. Snow date: January 20, 2018.

“We Don’t Just Fight Fires” will feature a panel discussion with AVFD Chief Michael Trick, retired AVFD Chief and current Avon Fire Marshal Jamie DiPace, and AVFD fire safety education coordinator and fire police member Dennis Bianchi along with other AVFD officers. Following the presentation, there will be a wine and cheese reception.

This special event will mark the opening of a two-month exhibit at the Avon Free Public Library where residents can visit and learn more about the history of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department. The exhibit will feature photographs of AVFD members, incidents, and apparatus, and much more throughout the years.

Other events scheduled to take place throughout the year include a 5K race, open houses, and library exhibits. The main event marking the AVFD’s 75^th anniversary will be its hosting of the 135^th Annual Connecticut State Firefighters Association Convention and Parade along with a carnival featuring food trucks the weekend of September 14-16, 2018.

“We are honored to have been selected by the Connecticut State Firefighters Association to host its annual convention and parade in honor of our 75^th anniversary,” says AVFD Chief Michael Trick. “Aside from celebrating with our own neighbors at different commemorative events throughout the year, there isn’t a more fitting way to mark this incredible milestone than to invite our colleagues from around the state to come spend some time with us here in Avon.”

The 135^th Annual Connecticut State Firefighters Association Convention and Parade will take place from Friday, September 14-Sunday, September 16, 2018. The weekend’s events will kick off on Friday morning with an Executive Luncheon held at George’s Pizza & Restaurant in Unionville at 11:30. There will be an Irregulars Dinner meeting at AVFD Company 1 (25 Darling Drive) that evening at 6:30.

On Saturday, the Convention meeting will take place at Avon High School (510 West Avon Road). Following the meeting will be a President’s Reception at Company 1.

On Sunday, a parade will step off promptly at noon. Line up will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Avon High School, and the parade route will follow West Avon Road South to Thompson Road and end at the M.H. Rhodes property across from Thompson Brook School. Shuttle buses will run from Thompson Brook School to Avon High School from 8:30-11:45 a.m.

The AVFD will keep the community informed about all 75^th anniversary events via its website (www.avonvfd.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AvonVFD).

About the AVFD

Incorporated in 1943, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department proudly protects more than 18,000 people living in the 22.6 square mile area that makes up the Town of Avon. The Department’s mission is to provide fire suppression and prevention, life safety and rescue support, as well as other community support to the citizens of the Town of Avon. In addition, the Department provides mutual aid support to those surrounding communities that, in time of need, may request such assistance.

Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department prides itself on the selflessness and dedication of its members. The Department operates six companies and 15 pieces of apparatus, including a brush truck, ladder truck, tanker, rescue vehicle, boat, and pumpers. Four stations are located throughout Town – Company 1 on Darling Drive, Company 2 on Secret Lake Road, Company 3 on West Avon Road, and Company 4 on Huckleberry Hill Road. Anyone interested in learning more about the AVFD should call the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) at 677-2644, visit www.avonvfd.org, connect on Facebook at AvonVFD, or stop by the Company 1 firehouse located at 25 Darling Drive any Monday evening after 7:00.

 

Photo caption: This year, the AVFD celebrates its 75th anniversary. Pictured are the first AVFD members with the Department’s first fire truck at a Sunday morning drill at Sperry Park: (seated, left to right) Lucian Baranowski, Howard Rodgers, Dom Bogino, Al Bonesio, and Everett Lyles; (standing, left to right) Fred Schiedel, Dave Ceder, Primo Viti, Rene Ruez, Peter Bonesio, Emil Engelke, Walter Read, Paul Olson, John Kulikowski, Charlie Engelke, Ernie Plude, and Wilbur (Buster) Plude; and (on top) Fritz Kruse, Charles Evango, and Austin Hunter.